iPod wOrthy: O.C. Supertones

Since it's the last day of the month, I need to roll out my monthly iPod wOrthy selection:

"What it Comes To" by the Orange County Supertones. This song keeps running around inside my head during the "TION" teaching series we're doing in Q222. The Supertones used to be my favorite group until they "retired". (single tear) Toby Mac also has a guest spot on this one. He has a knack for showing up on my favorite artist's CDs (Kirk Franklin, KJ-52 etc.)

Here's a link and the lyrics:

Every now and then i have a moment of authentication
Reveals the man inside me like illumination
Trial by fire purification
The day i die is the day that it's done
You might not realize when it comes
And only overome it by the grace of The Son.
Just try to stand your ground take it head on
Every moment in my life comes down to this one

At a fork in the road only two ways to go
The one untraveled and the one that you know
The broad and the wrong or the tight and the right
So die in the dim or fight in the light
So it comes down to this
Jesus Christ was betrayed by a kiss
Judas when he faced his moment he failed
Imprisoned in hell with a bail of three nails

This is what it comes to

It's me against my desires and inclinations
Pass through the fire into salvation
Bring water to the thirsty like irrigation
When you go toe to toe you don't go one on one
But Christ in my place in substitution
Showed me His grace propitiation
Heard the devil laugh and he thought he had won
But then came the comeback and resurrection

Listen everybody may i please have your attention
Only the wise will accept instruction
Fools laugh at knowledge and reject wisdom
Inevitably leading to destruction
Now it's on you it's your decision
The forecast of the future is confrontation
The beast or the King like revelation
A battle for your soul like armageddon

SKA SKA SKA Baby!!

B's Spinning Song for the week 2/29

Beautiful Scandalous Night by The Choir.

Ok....it isn't a spinner, but it IS and awesome song!! It was a close race, but this one came out on top :)

"Beautiful Scandalous Night"

Go on up to the mountain of mercy
To the crimson perpetual tide
Kneel down on the shore
Be thirsty no more
Go under and be purified

Follow Christ to the Holy mountian
Sinner, sorry and wrecked by the fall
Cleanse your heart and your soul
In the fountain that flows
For you and for me and for all

CHORUS
At the wonderful tragic mysterious tree
On that beautiful scandalous night you and me
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white
On that beautiful scandalous night

On the hillside you will be delivered
At the foot of the cross, justified
And your spirit restored
By the river that pours
From our blessed Saviour’s side

CHORUS

Go on up to the mountain of mercy
To the crimson perpetual tide
Kneel down on the shore
Be thirsty no more
Go under and be purified

The Tale of the Grocery Run and the Snuggly Boy

Here is a story that very few of you will most likely not understand. But, it is part of the ins and outs of our life. :) You will soon see that I don't have a life!!

One day last week, as Ski was going into work, he met a coworker in the elevator. They were talking away and the subject of Whole Foods came up. Remember, Whole foods is a kind of Mecca for us. This is the place where we buy rice milk for our youngest ds. Amazingly, this is the only brand that we have found that we could deem safe for him to drink. So, for almost 5 yrs, we have been making trips to Whole Foods or asking friends to bring us cases. A few years ago, they announced that they would open two Whole Foods stores in Tidytown. Since that announcement, the progress has been very slow. In fact, one of the stores that was planned has been nixed. So we are still waiting for the one to open.

So, as he was speaking, his co-worker told Ski that Whole Foods was now open. Not only that, but a utter stranger in the elevator also confirmed this. So, my sweet Ski called me and told me the wonderful news. I was ecstatic!! In fact, since Ski had been in disbelief, he asked to be sure that the new store was Whole Foods. So, since I do not have enough to do during the day, I told my younger three to get their sock, shoes, and coats on and we left on a trek to find a local source for rice milk. To give you an idea of how desperate I was and how very important this is to us, I was going to a part of town I do not like to drive in, taking a huge 15 passenger van, and would be arriving at lunchtime.

So, I drove a back way to arrive at the corner that the store is supposed to be. My heart fell. On one corner was a shopping center with a banner proclaiming "Earth Fare Now Open." Hmmmm....Well, TWO people said that it was Whole Foods. So, I proceeded to the next corner. There, I did not find Whole Foods. I DID find a lady loading groceries into her cart. I asked her where the new store might be. I was agahst to find that she had NEVER HEARD of Whole Foods. Well, I thought this is certainly not a good sign. So, I drove around and ended up in the back of a hotel parking lot. My phone was dieing, but I called Ski and I said....."I think that they meant Earth Fare. Can you please ask and make sure?" 15 minutes later, Ski calls and tells me that he has come to the same conclusion. I was so disappointed that I almost wept right then and there.

Well, I needed bread anyway, so I decided to stop by Earth Fare. When we arrived, I snapped this pic of my kiddos:


It was supposed to be a pic of them smiling from ear to ear in front of a sparkling new Whole Foods. Alas, it is them trying their best to have grumpy faces. I was encouraging them to pout, but they were laughing hysterically. We did seriously think of buying tomatoes to throw at Earth Fare. They have a huge tomato on their signs. :) And wouldn't you know that they didn't have a single loaf of Iz's bread so I had to make another stop on my way home. My dream is a grocery store where I can buy everything that I need.

The good part of the story is that I was able to pick up Ski on his lunch hour and the kids had a snack while Ski had lunch. So, the race is still on. Which will open first? Whole Foods or Ikea?!?!?!

Not much went on this weekend. It was rather quiet, in fact.
When Iz is tired, he likes to climb up on the couch beside mom. But if dad is home, that is even better. He climbs up on Ski's lap and finds a comfy place to take a nap. Here is where Iz spent a lazy Sunday afternoon:

Isn't he just so cute?!?! It melts my heart every time to see him sleeping so happily in his daddy's arms. We both agree that Ski is the most cuddly guy ever!!

Sentimental Mush

I am a melancholy person I suppose -- full of emotion and stuff. I like books that make me cry, movies that do the same. I like music with words to make me think, laugh, and yes, even cry. I happened on a friend's blog today and she has lovely clips of Puccini. Ahhh.....I just looooooooove Puccini!!! We soooo agree on Nessun Dorma!! So as I was reading, I had her clip of Maria Callas playing. I was laughing like crazy. Hearing me laugh, Nathaniel said "What's so funny?" Sigh. My dc just do not understand me. Maybe it comes from when I played flute in orchestra and you hear that magical ringing when everything is perfect. Perhaps it is from singing with an amazing choir director who demanded perfection and somehow brought out of us something we never knew was there.

Tonight, I took my three oldest to hear a string quartet. I cannot even begin to describe how wonderful they were!! I wept at the Andante that they played from a Mozart quartet. A tango from Piazzolla left me laughing. But, oh...the Ravel!! Now, I have never been keen on Ravel. Ski has always liked "Bolero," but that piece has never been for me. But the String Quartet in F was magical for me. I was enchanted, entranced, and oh so moved. I had the gamut of emotions. My children think I have lost my mind. I so wish that Ski was with me. At least he enjoys to watch me get all goofy at a song. Once, Nessun Dorma was on the XM radio at Starbucks and I got all loopy. It freaks me out when I realize he is watching me with a goofy grin, but at least he doesn't think I have lost my mind. So, tonight I had tears in my eyes, chuckled under my breath, and sighed to the extreme. So heavenly is the gift of music!!!

I am now on a search for this piece that I have fallen in love with. Here is just a taste:



You can listen to all four movements if you want a treat, but this is just the first movement. This is not the group that we saw tonight, but it will give you a taste.

Yummy Dinner!!

On a board I frequent, there is a lady who is originally from Louisiana. Once, she shared her authentic cajun recipe for red beans and rice. This very inexpensive recipe has become a family favorite here. I must confess that I am NOT a big bean person. I like black beans on occasion. I love chili and I do make a lentil dish that I like. But this dish is super good!! From the moment I start the prep for it to the time we sit at the table, it smells delicious! I have also discovered that some of my children like HOT food. One of them has been known to sprinkle 13 shakes of Tony's on her beans.

If you'd like to try this recipe, go to this link. It's a little article on the lady above and her wonderful recipe. It is extra yummy paired with cornbread from Rosemarie Emro's cookbook.

Life is Beautiful

Right now we are studying WWII and the Holocaust. Oh, it is so very heartbreaking!! My three older children and I are watching films and just a few minutes ago, we got done watching "La Vita e Bella." This is just an awesome movie. It brings me to tears. But it seems that I am always crying lately. I was an utter mess at the end of this film!! Ski and I watched it before and Ski didn't like it. I think that he MUST watch it another time. I'll have to try to convince him again. My only regret is that I think that maybe I should have saved this film for last.

Milk and Flowers

Late in the day yesterday, I realized that we were running out of rice milk. I didn't think we had enough to last the week. So at the last minute, Ski took all of the little Ski-bums with him to the closest Whole Foods. We are trying to wait patiently for one to open here. We are told it's coming, but the wait is looooooong!! Until then, we have to travel about 3hrs round trip (not including gas and shopping time) to get to Mecca.

I had a meeting last night, so had to leave home before they returned. I came home tired and happy to see everyone. To my surprise, Ski had brought me this lovely and unique rose. Of course, Ski wanted it to be more of a surprise, but my dc were so excited that they kind of spoiled that for him.

Thanks, Sweetie!!

B's Spinning Song for the Week

For anyone who wants to spin (not just 'cause it's Daniel Amos).....

If You Want To by Daniel Amos.

Now, if I could only figure out what it means :)

Pics!!

Yummy cocoa for all!!!!



Snow everywhere!!!








Who could ask for more?!!?!








More SNOW is coming on Saturday!!!! Yippee!!!!

Praying for Francesca's family today

If you read our blog long enough, you will get the idea that food allergies are a big concern for us. Most people who do not deal with food allergies don’t understand this. I know this very well because not too long ago, I too, was one of those people who thought it was all hype. But all of that changed for me about 4 ½ years ago. Now, food allergies, especially life-threatening food allergies are a big part of our lives.

I get news articles related to food allergies daily in my email in-box . Yesterday I received one on a 19 yo girl in the UK who died this past October. I keep a running list of names and faces to remind me of these people. A common thread for the loved ones left behind is that their dear ones did not die in vain. So, I keep their faces to remind me that more people need to understand what we families with anaphylactic food allergies deal with. This particular girl, like many others, was very careful. You’ll probably hear about her in the news, if you haven’t already, because her parents believe that her death was caused by toothpaste. I know people will be laughing out there. But no one will be laughing in my house. I will be praying for this family and the other families like them. Only a few days ago, I was in the store and couldn't find a cereal that I always buy for ds. While I passed the toothpaste aisle, I even wondered what if the toothpaste I buy for him changes or is no longer made. Every time I give my ds a new medicine, I wonder. Every time we try a new food, I try not to worry. By all means, I do not live in fear. BUT it is a very real concern for us. Just last week I gave ds a new food and he reacted to it. I struggle with guilt because I am the one who bought it and gave it to him thinking it would be safe. Maybe I should have checked it out more thoroughly. And then when I call a food company I struggle with being angry. Angry because they do not seem to care and do not give me the answers I need. They are more concerned about lawsuits and people stealing their recipe and so their answers tend to be vague. Many times I end up not knowing, but guessing the “why” for our reaction. In fact, this is what most of our reactions are like. We have few reactions because we are careful. Most of our reactions these days are from causes I have not been able to pin down properly. Thankfully, they are few and far between. But they are sometimes a frightening reminder. I often wonder how I can avoid a cause that I don’t fully know. In the end, I just need to walk out faith. To move on and let those unknowns go. God has been so good to preserve our son’s life when we were living in ignorance. I have to be willing to trust that He will continue to help me preserve my boy’s life and reveal and educate me in things that I need to know. And if the worst should happen, like with all of those I hold dearly, that God still has a plan and it is for our best. No matter what. So, every day, we are deeply grateful for health and life and joy for all of those that we hold close to our hearts!!

Baby, it's cold outside

Target is the BEST pharmacy! They're friendly, fast and smart.

So I go to pick up a prescription for B tonight and I figured I'd look for a backup pair of gloves. We got a teeny amount of snow today and have a 90% chance of snow on Saturday. Anyway, after buying the meds, and scoping out the toys (they have some cool Star Wars ships on clearance but I resisted), I looked in the men's department for gloves. No such luck. No heavy coats, no gloves. But guess what they're stocking up on now....in January....swimming trunks!!

Mmmmmmm....Stew

One of the big things I miss about beef is a crock pot full of stew on a winter night. My beloved Ski grew up with "Yankee" Pot Roast and it is a favorite of his. Last year I made some stew for my sweetie, but it meant that I needed to make a seperate dinner for our youngest ds. That isn't much fun for a busy mom. Also, while ds liked his dinner, I didn't think it looked yummy enough. So imagine my happiness when someone recently blessed us with some venison. Oh yum!!!! Growing up in PA, I had been fed venison by our friends/housemates/landlords/caregroup leaders. Many times, Kerry and Joyce would have us for dinner and make us guess what we were eating. Not only did we eat deer this way, but they also fed us caribou. But since then, I rarely get a chance to eat deer. A year or so ago, friends gave us some for IZ when he was not able to eat chicken and pork. He loved it and was able to tolerate it. So last night, I made venison stew using my favorite stew recipe that I modified from one of my cookbooks:

Beef Stew
2 lb beef
3 c V8
1 Onion
3 cloves garlic
1 tsp oregano
2 tsp basil
8 potatoes
8 or more carrots


Peel and quarter potatoes. Peel and cut up carrots. Cut onion into eighths. Place veggies in crockpot in following order potatoes, carrots, onion. Sprinkle with minced garlic and herbs. Coat beef in flour and brown in skillet. Pour on top of veggies. Pour v8 into crock pot. Cook on low all day @ 8 hrs.

I love this recipe because you can add and subtract whatever you like and make it your own. So we had this tonight, but I used the deer meat and it was delicious!! My house smelled divine all day long.

Tonight, my girls are making meatballs.
I have a lovely cold, so I have been very lazy today. Hiding in my warm house and snuggling under blankets.

We'll post pics later of snow and cocoa.

Shopping Madness!!

For some reason, whenever there is a threat of bad weather, I have to go shopping. You know, no one is ever at the store before 5pm during the week. BUT because they are calling for snow or ice tomorrow, the stores were jammed at 3pm on a Wednesday. The funny thing is what goes in their carts.

• paper plates
• tuna
• canned anything else
  
• soda
• bottled water
• the biggest sized package of toilet paper that they can find

I am not sure what these people do with all of this stuff after the weather gets better. It seems that they would not need to buy paper products for months afterwards. And I am sure that they could survive indefinitely on the incredible amounts of prepackaged foods that they stuff in their carts. It really is insane. The parking lot was so full at Walmart that you would have thought it was the height of the Christmas shopping season. The thing that drives me mad is that half of them don't seem to know WHY they went there in the first place. They stand in the aisle as if stunned at the selection or perhaps they are merely petrified at their thoughts of impending winter doom. And then, as if the panic overtakes them, they grab things willy-nilly and throw things in their carts. All the while I am just trying to get to the next aisle and the next thing on my list. The funniest thing is that there are very few native Southerners here. Most of the people have moved here from elsewhere. Many are from places like Pittsburgh, Boston, and Buffalo. Perhaps a few warm December days have made them forget what snow and ice are like.

And tomorrow, we will be having school at home and Ski will be working at home. It will be business as usual here.

THIS is art...

I know where my wife is coming from. When it comes to art, she likes the feel and smell of the paint on canvas (or the floor, or on your hands). Art has a taste of the experiencial in it. Involving the senses keeps the mind focused on whatever the artist is drawing your attention to. Computer art doesn't do it for her. I can watch those crazy Animusic videos and be amazed at the imagination and computer skill involved. "Yeech!" would be her reaction.

Here's a video from Dan Dunn. It's similar to the Mona Lisa video with speedy visuals (though it's in real time) and loud music being part of the presentation. But the medium is far less sophisticated. Does that make it art? It's a piece from the artist's imagination. Does THAT make it art? Would B like it? Probably. I like both. Maybe someone wouldn't like either.

God made some pretty amazing things. People, our opinions, minds that can imagine or appreciate art. Fingers that can hold a brush or build a computer. Eyes that see color, shape.

We can even come up with dumb cliches like "I don't know about art, but I know what I like".

Food Allergies for Dummies

I just added this title under "Interesting Reads" and feel it needs some description. This is also listed on KWFA site. While walking through the library, I noticed this on the shelf. While I didn't really need this book, I wanted to take a look. I am very impressed by the content. Of course, it was written by Dr. Robert H. Wood, Professor of Pediatrics and Chief of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. In short, he is pretty famous in the world of food allergies. Not only that, but he also suffers from food allergies.

If you find yourself new to food allergies and need a good primer to get you started, pick up this book. There are even recipes in the back to get you started. There are so many good aspects to this book. A few things I really appreciate are:

• Encouragement to always carry your epis
• Advice for teens and young adults
• A section on research
• And debunking alternative tests and treatments
• personal anecdotes from both his life and the lives of patients

If you decide to order this through Amazon, definitely use the KWFA link to order. And while you're there, consider joining or donating to this wonderful site!!!

What is art?

I sometimes wonder if computer created art is REALLY art. We have friends who have an amazingly talented ds who does some of his art on computer. There is no doubt that this young man is talented. Plus he can create without a computer. :) Someday I am sure you will all know who he is. BUT when I see something like this, it makes me wonder. I wonder if this person could do something like this on a canvas. I have my suspicions. Plus, I somehow think that there MUST be a trick to it. But I thought you would enjoy it. And maybe you won't think my posts are so boring.

Walmart, Green Bay, and the American Dream

Ok, I thought about this last night as I was standing in line at Walmart after midnight.

I own a VERY large van to cart my dear children around in. I really don't mind dropping $20-30 in the gas tank (which only fills it half way). I can take the bus in or work from home during the week, so gas lasts for maybe 4-5 days.

Not so with milk! Walmart has it for under $4 a gallon --often a better value than the "buy six get one free" deals. Anyway, B regularly holds "food portion training classes" for the kids but they STILL end up inhaling a gallon of milk in less than 2 days--and that's just 2-3 mornings of cereal a week and a "reasonable" glass at lunch. Oh, and IZ can't drink it.

Well, our food budget regularly comes up short in the cow juice category. It's crazy that a gallon of the milk costs more than a gallon of gas! I wonder if OPEC has ever considered infiltrating the dairy industry. (there's one for the conspiracy theorists)

SO I got in line behind two guys buying various items (including hooch) at Walmart late Saturday night. (no one mentions the lack of milk in our fridge until right before bed). Customer A is rambling on and on to Customer B (who is trying to be polite) about everything from game shows and Google to grain alcohol. Customer A has most things in life figured out (except how not to be alone on a Saturday night) so he continues conversing with the cashier, the "check your Walmart receipt at the door" folks and was still talking as I left for my car.

I think THAT'S the type of guy that should have a blog! Cyberspace is always ready to listen.

Anyway, Item 2:

CONGRATS to my Packers for making it to the NFC Championship!! I really didn't expect to see them much on "antenna tv" this year and , due to their success, I've been able to follow their season pretty closely. I was at youth group during Saturday's game but saw the snow-covered highlights (sigh) when I got home. My OneLife friend is a huge NY Giants fan and I'm glad they knocked off the Cowboys. Our teams meet in Sunday's game for a chance to (hopefully) play San Diego. (I really don't want the pack to be "that other team" who played New England the year they went undefeated and won the Super Bowl). I'll have to make sure we have lunch this week so we can have a friendly discussion about next Sunday!

Ok last thing, here's a guy living the American dream:

Mark Malkoff

Not only is he from NYC, he's funny (well I don't have Comedy Central so maybe not but his videos on the above site are pretty amusing) PLUS, he 's visited all of Manhattan's 171 Starbucks locations AND he lives in IKEA. Sorry girls, he's married (though his wife's apparently not too happy).

Now personally, I've been to the IKEA in Paramus and the roadways you have to traverse to get there are AWFUL!!! Some day when we get our IKEA in Tidytown, I'll have to see if we can "one up" him and get IKEA to agree to let a family of eight live in their store for a week while we replace the flooring in our house or something. (hmm. maybe not) But hey, they filmed this series in the exact store where I bought our dining room table! (whoo hoo!)

Is your music clean?!?!?!

Mine is, but we'll get to that in a minute.....

As if to punctuate my bad news yesterday, my ds had an allergic reaction. I gave him something new and wouldn't you know he got sick. It began with stomach pain. In a little while he was vomiting all over. Lovely copious amounts of lunch was in my upstairs hallway. We got everything cleaned up and he was bathed and re-dressed. I had to run to the library and rather leave him with my teens who were sure to panic, I took him with me. I met dad at the library. The poor little guy visited the bathroom a number of times, but returned unscathed on each occasion. We then headed off to a store to pick up something. Two feet in the door he started talking about his belly again. We went as fast as we could for a Friday night. On the way home he nodded off so I picked him up out of his seat and walked into the house. In my ear I heard the all too familiar allergic reaction cough and ran to the bathroom. He got a bit mussed on his shirt and coat, but amazingly, I appeared to be clean. Once all that was out of him and the itching went away, he was hungry and as happy as a kid could be with a dose of antihistamine post allergic reaction. He passed the night without event and was as happy as a clam all day.

Now....this morning I was rudely awakened by a dog barking outside my window. I was NOT a happy camper. I went off to find someone dressed and willing to rid my yard of the LOUD dog. As I came upon the laundry, I found Ski folding some clothes and a CLUNK, CLUNK coming from the dryer. I asked what was in there. Dh said "Iz's coat." Now, I thought to myself....."This is not the sound of a 5yo's winter coat in the dryer. I bent down and opened the dryer to find a familiar glow of MY IPOD!!!! WHAT?!?!?! Seems that some Good Samaritan, who shall remain nameless, washed my jacket without checking my pockets. It plays. It charges.....BUT the jury is still out. I'll let you know the final verdict when it comes in.

So now I can say that I have CLEAN music......

Where's the Beef?

If you didn't know, our youngest ds has many, many food allergies. Among them is beef. Two years ago he was tested and the hope was that at our next visit, we might be able to challenge beef. A in-office food challenge is where we bring the food to be tested and then over a period of usually several hours, he eats slowly increasing amounts of the food. As this is going on, the drs and nurses watch him carefully for any kinds of reactions. Hopefully if all goes well, you can go home and try adding it in to your diet. The test is done in the office in case he has a negative response. That way medical treatment can be given ASAP. If that happens, the challenge is a "fail" and you continue to avoid it.

One of our scary episodes was in the middle of a zoo. We were finished with lunch and Iz was only 13 months old or so. We were avoiding milk at the time and were pretty careful. As we were leaving the cafe, he began vomiting profusely all over his stroller. We had to strip his clothes and wrap him in a Ski's coat. I will never forget the long tram ride holding my limp, grey son in my arms. It was frightening stuff!!! But God sustained our ds and his reaction stopped -- probably helped by the excessive vomiting. So, when word came that we were to trial beef, I got scared. We ended up putting off the challenge so long that he needed to be retested.

This past Nov. we had him tested once again. I just recv'd the results and the scores have increased. This is not the news that I had hoped for. Since beef is an odd allergy, the scores are kind of a guessing game. So, now we must wait and see what the allergist would like us to do. So the wait continues......

12 Most Important Things

My wife is a much better writer than I am. (=

What are the ten most important things in your life? I came up with this list about 4(?) years ago and it still gives a pretty accurate picture of what's swimming around in my head and what my heart is passionate about. (some of it I may not be very proud about but it's true). Some of my future blogs will include rants, raves and ponderings about the items below for certain.

In order, here's my Top 12 Most Important Things:

1) God -- Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Scripture, prayer etc.
2) Becky
3) My kids
4) CWCC / SGM (with the Sweigart Care group members at the top of the heap)
5) my non-church family and friends
6) music (much more about this in future blogs)
7) Star Wars
8) Disney
9) work (BofA rocks!)
10) food (incl. sweets, Starbucks, and food allergies--a top cause of mine)
11) sports (I run, but watch more than I participate in)
12) the USA

That's my list! What's yours? Send a comment!

Speaking of Disney, here's a favorite video of mine as a reward for reading my ramblings:

Which Way Am I Goin'?!?!?!

Anyone who know me, knows that I despise the interstate.
If there is a way to get somewhere by bypassing the highway, that is the way I go. To add to this fact, I know about a zillion ways to get to one place and can never make up my mind which way to go.
Not too long ago, I found another way home from a store I frequent. I was driving along happy as a clam. I was on an adventure to find a new way home. I was pleased with myself and thinking....WOW!!!...Where will I end up? Pretty soon, the ordinary street I was on began looking like a highway. Suddenly I went into a panic! I began thinking that it was about 5pm and I certainly did NOT want to be on the highway going the wrong direction (or even the right one for that matter) in rush hour traffic. I was getting clammy and trying to plan my way out of what was sure to be a mess. But around another turn, I found there was no highway at the other end. I once again found myself in familiar territory and was happily driving once again. The next time I was in that area, I fel the same panic as I tried the as yet unfamiliar route. And once again, I found myself at peace when I rounded that curve. I was on that road again today. No panic or freaking out. There was a moment or hesitation, but as I rode around the curve, I found it was all ok. And God gave me a glimpse of himself in that moment.....

How like life that road is. Sometimes, God leads us down these roads and we are SURE it is the wrong way. We are so busy thinking about what it looks like around us that we aren't thinking about God's plan at all. We start thinking our way out of the mess that we think is there. In fact, sometimes we are so busy panicking that we miss something truly wonderful. The trip can be alot more fun if we just take a chill and experience ALL that God has for us to experience. The hard and the easy --- the joys and the trials. We need to keep in mind that our job is not to plan the course, but only to follow it.

Welcome!

Hi everybody!

Since lots of folks we know have one of these blogs, B and I were inspired to start one of our own.

This blog will hopefully be a window into the wonderful craziness that God began back in October 1990 when B and I were married.

Some have said we should write a book or something. This is probably as close as we will get.